Want to Lose Weight? Try 'Importing' a New Diet!

Over the course of the last two thousand years, Western civilization has produced a dizzying array of important cultural and social achievements, triumphs, and accomplishments. From the concept of democracy to the personal computer, the West has been instrumental in developing many of the ideas, discoveries, and technologies that today help define life in the twenty-first century.

In fact, a few of the West's innovative inventions may have even been a bit too successful, according to some vocal critics. For example, the extremely efficient system of agricultural production and food distribution in wealthy Western countries has made it possible for people to attain their food with little or no physical effort.

Although these advances have helped Western countries overcome long-time health challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, and disease, they have also contributed to other problems -- including the widespread obesity epidemic that now faces many developed Western nations, especially the United States.

In seeking solutions for the obesity epidemic, researchers have begun to assess the traditional diets of other countries. By comparing the typical American diet with the food traditions of other regions and cultures, researchers have identified patterns of eating that are associated with improved health -- and trimmer figures.

If the standard American diet has helped you put on a few extra pounds, it may be helpful to incorporate some of the eating patterns found in other countries. This week, we'll look at a few recent studies that assessed healthy eating patterns around the world.

Scientists Declare Japanese Diet Healthier than American Diet

Asian diets are starkly different than the traditional American way of eating. Typically, Asian food choices revolve around lean proteins, abundant vegetables, and low-fat grains. According to a team of Japanese scientists, the traditional Japanese diet has many health advantages over the standard American way of eating.

Scientists from the renowned Japanese research institute at Tohoku University undertook a study designed to compare the traditional American and Japanese diets. The scientists fed two different groups of laboratory mice freeze-dried versions of traditional meals from each country over the course of several months. At the conclusion of the experiment, the differences in the health and well-being of the two groups of mice were striking.

According to the scientists, the genetic compounds that play a role in breaking down fats and cholesterols in foods were as much as 1.5 times more active in the mice eating the Japanese diet. Overall, the American diet mice had ten percent higher cholesterol levels and had shorter life spans than their counterparts in the Japanese group.

The Japanese diet that was used in the experiment was rich in seafood, rice, and soups. The scientists concluded that switching to this style of eating may help overweight individuals in Western countries to control their weight more effectively.

Mediterranean Diet Reduces Obesity, Heart Disease, and Cancer

The typical American diet reflects the country's history as a melting pot for immigrants from everywhere else in the world. In fact, many of the foods that are today thought of as staples of the American diet -- such as pizza and spaghetti -- are actually Mediterranean in origin. However, the Americanized versions of these classic dishes often increase the unhealthy ingredients and limit the health-enhancing properties of these foods.

In its own cultural context, however, the traditional Mediterranean diet has been linked with a wide array of health benefits. A study conducted by scientists at the Lipids and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit of the Institut Municipal d?Investigaci? M?dica in Barcelona, Spain sought to identify and assess the health impacts of the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is rich in foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil. The study focused on a population of over 3000 adult men and women in Spain.

According to the study's findings, adherence to the traditional Mediterranean way of eating delivered many health benefits, including lower body mass index (BMI), reduced risk of obesity, and lowered incidence of diseases and chronic conditions such as several types of cancer, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Conversely, the more that the study participants strayed from the traditional Mediterranean diet, the more likely they were to be overweight and develop health problems.

Researchers Sing Praises of the French Diet

For decades, scientists have puzzled over what they call the "French Paradox" -- why do the French, whose diets are comparatively high in fat and other "unhealthy" ingredients, suffer less obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer than their American counterparts?

It appears that the answer may be that the traditional French diet isn't so "unhealthy," after all. Recent research has indicated that many of the high-fat foods in which the French regularly indulge actually have health-enhancing properties. Even when compared to Americans on a low-fat diet, the French suffer an exponentially lower rate of obesity and other health problems.

Although this shouldn't be seen as license to begin consuming large quantities of croissants and baguettes, researchers recommend gradually incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and "good" fats -- such as olive oil -- into your diet.

Check with your doctor before you overhaul your eating habits, and check back each week for more of the diet research news that can help speed your path to weight loss!

Gastric Bypass Surgery: Is it Safe?

The United States -- and, increasingly, many other developed nations -- is in the throes of a serious obesity epidemic. More people are overweight and obese than at any other time in history, and obesity-related health care problems have begun exacting a significant toll.

As the obesity rate has skyrocketed, some have begun taking extreme measures to regain a svelte shape. One of the most drastic methods of fighting obesity is gastric bypass surgery. Typically reserved only for the severely overweight, this procedure drastically reduces the capacity of the stomach.

As such, the amount of food that can be eaten at any one time is significantly limited. Some patients also develop sensitivity to certain types of food, resulting in severe gastric distress if consumed. Taken together, these two factors lead to rapid weight loss in the months following the surgery.

Clearly, gastric bypass surgery is an effective means of losing weight. However, the procedure has been at the center of an intense debate, prompting many critics to call its safety into question.

The controversy surrounding gastric bypass surgery has fostered a great deal of research interest in recent years. This week, we?ll review some of the most significant breakthroughs achieved by research teams around the world.

Larger Hospitals Mean Fewer Complications for Gastric Bypass Surgery Patients

One of the most controversial aspects of gastric bypass surgery has been the relatively high rate of post-surgery complications associated with the procedure. Compared to many other types of surgeries, the risk of serious illness, injury, and, in rare cases, even death after gastric bypass surgery is fairly high, ranging from 7% to 15%, depending on the type of procedure that has been performed.

Several prominent research teams have sought to identify factors that could contribute to the risk of complications following gastric bypass surgery. One recent study, conducted by independent medical assessment firm HealthGrades, focused on identifying the types of medical facilities that posed the greatest risk of post-surgical complications for patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery.

According to the team?s findings, the lowest risk of complications was associated with high-volume hospitals that were not only large in capacity, but also served the greatest number of patients. They also found that hospitals with more experience in performing gastric bypass surgeries tended to pose the lowest risk of complications for patients undergoing the procedure.

New Technique Discovered to be Effective in Treating a Common Complication of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Although there are many potential complications that have been associated with gastric bypass surgery, one of the most common problems is the post-surgery development of gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures. This common complication occurs when the opening between the newly-formed gastric pouch and the small intestines narrows.

A team of scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri determined that gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures can be safely and effectively treated using a method known as endoscopic balloon dilation. In this method, physicians use a balloon-like device to gently widen the narrowed gastric bypass.

Among patients who experienced the complication, 79% were successfully treated with one round of endoscopic balloon dilation. A small number more required two treatments. Furthermore, among patients who underwent the intervention, weight loss in the year after surgery was not slowed. According to the research team, this could represent a major breakthrough in the safety of gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Reduces Severity of Adult-Onset Diabetes

The prevalence of Type II diabetes has skyrocketed over the last several decades, a trend which many researchers link to the obesity epidemic that is overtaking the United States and many other developed nations.

Although gastric bypass surgery?s primary purpose is to help severely overweight patients shed pounds, researchers have also found that the procedure can have other positive health impacts, as well. A recent study conducted by scientists at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle found that patients with diabetes were able to reduce or even stop their prescription drug regimen after undergoing surgery and losing excess weight.

Some physicians and scientists have begun to explore the possibility of suggesting gastric bypass surgery for non-morbidly obese patients with diabetes. While further study is necessary to determine the efficacy of this approach, preliminary findings indicate that the procedure can drastically reduce the severity of many diabetes-related symptoms and health problems.

If you?re considering gastric bypass surgery, be sure to consult with a licensed medical professional who can help you assess all of your options. Check back each week for the breaking research news that can help you achieve success in your weight loss journey!

Scientists Find That Social Influences Can Derail Healthy Eating Habits

To long-time dieters, it comes as no surprise that social situations can result in overeating. Dinner parties, sporting events, outdoor festivals, weddings, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, you name it -- when large groups of people get together, it?s highly likely that one thing can lead to another and you?ll find yourself eating more than you?d planned to. Some people who are trying to lose weight shun social gatherings altogether, fearful that they?ll be unable to resist temptation when cutting loose and having fun with friends and family.

Although the negative impact of social situations on weight loss efforts have long been conventional wisdom to veteran dieters, researchers are just beginning to explore this concept and its practical implications for the millions of obese and overweight men, women, and children around the world. This week, we?ll take a look at several recent studies that have considered the impact of social interaction on obesity, weight loss, and health.

Is Obesity Contagious?

Study Finds that Individual Weight Fluctuates Based on the Average Weight of the Population

A groundbreaking study that compared individual weight trends to the overall weight trends of the larger population has uncovered interesting results about the social climate in which weight gain tends to occur. The study, which was undertaken by economists at the Department of Economics and Center for Demography and Population Health at Florida State University and the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, used health data drawn from different historical periods to compare weight trends in the population.

The researchers found that the increased prevalence of obesity in the population is linked to more individual weight gains. They also found that the decrease in per-capita food prices in recent years also appeared to have contributed to increasing rates of obesity.

Researchers Find that Obesity Can ?Spread? Like an Infectious Disease

A recent study that evaluated the ?spread? of obesity in social networks has garnered a great deal of media attention in recent weeks. The study, conducted by a coalition of researchers at Harvard University and other institutions, found that the presence of one or more obese or overweight individuals in a social network -- groups which can include friends, family members, co-workers, and other acquaintances -- significantly increased the risk that other members of the group would also gain weight.

Although the researchers took pains to explain that obesity is not ?contagious? in the traditional sense of the term, they do agree that patterns of obesity spread often mimic the patterns seen in epidemiological studies of infections illnesses. They suggest that frequent exposure to others who are obese or overweight may subconsciously influence our concept of what constitutes a healthy or ?normal? weight.

While the scientists agree that environmental, genetic, and other factors have played a role in the obesity epidemic that much of the developed world is struggling with, social variables should also be considered as part of the problem -- and the solution.

Kids Report Liking Common Foods Better When Wrapped In Fast Food Packaging

Another recent study that has caused a stir in the debate over the social and cultural aspects of obesity and weight loss was conducted by Stanford University researchers. The scientists discovered that preschool-aged children expressed a virtually universal preference for foods presented in the packaging associated with McDonald?s fast food restaurants.

The children who participated in the study ranged from age 3 to age 5. When presented with common fast food items such as chicken nuggets and French fries, the study participants consistently expressed a stronger liking for the foods that were wrapped in McDonald?s packaging, rather than plain packaging or no packaging.

According to the study?s authors, these results are a testament to the strong influence of marketing and branding campaigns, even on the youngest members of society. Based on these findings, the authors of the study have called for the adoption of more responsible advertising practices, as well as healthier menu offerings, by the leading fast food chains. Public health advocates have also used these conclusions to remind parents to limit young children?s exposure to advertisements for fast food and other unhealthy items.

Don?t underestimate the power of social influences in your weight loss journey. Check back each week for more of the diet and weight loss research news that can help you achieve lasting success!

Tips for a Healthy and Happy Life

Celebrities have a life that enables them to eat more disciplined, they are provided with trainers and chefs. They have massive financial motivation to eat right and stay fit. For the rest of us, we rely on efficient eating tips in order to stay fit and eat healthy.

Celebrity Cook Provides Eating Secrets for Staying Slim

Your diet is a bank account of calories. The food choice decisions you make throughout the day take from the calorie pool that each person has. If you make efficient choices during your day, your calorie bank account will not be overdrawn. Some tips include:

• Eat a snack before you leave home. This way you can choose something healthy. Don't wait until you are really hungry.
• Eat real foods with ingredients you can pronounce. Natural foods with bright colors are more inviting.
• If you have something really fattening on your plate, try not to eat everything on your plate.

Tips for a Healthy Way of Life

• Exercise more - make it your daily goal. Keep it interesting by changing your routine often. Exercising does not necessarily mean sweating at the gym, but instead can be as simple as climbing stairs in your house.
• Reduce stress - try to spend thirty minutes each day doing something you enjoy such as listening to music.
• Protect yourself from negative influences. If you have a certain "friend" or family member that consistently treats you or your family poorly, don't be afraid to keep them out of your life. Just because someone is a "friend" or family member, does not necessarily mean they are good for you. It is okay to skip stressful dinner parties or gatherings.
• Protect yourself from pollution - It is impossible to live in a smog free environment, but you can alternate the environments of which you reside. For example, if you work in a high-pollution area such as a big city, try to spend your weekends where there is less pollution.
• Avoid excessive drinking. Alcohol can leave you dehydrated and feeling tired the next day. This can take away from your motivation to exercise more and eat healthy. When going out with friends, try to drink soda water or bottled water with lemon. The following morning you will feel invigorated and ready to conquer the day!
• Get a good night's sleep. Life is so much better if you are well rested.

Isagenix Cleansing Product and Weight Loss Plan

Isagenix is a cleansing product that claims to have the side effect of losing weight. It works to cleanse your colon of environmental toxins. What is a cleansing product? Cleansing products claim to rid your body of environmental toxins that build up in your fat cells. According to the Isagenix plan, by cleansing you rid your body of fat and excess fluid. It promises effective weight loss in only nine days and on their website, isagenix.com, it states that Isagenix is a "cleansing and fat burning system". But not all experts agree that cleansing by detoxifying does any good.

The Isagenix Challenge

There are two schools of thought. One that says cleansing is important to weight loss and another that says these products are nothing more than glamorous diuretics. The meal replacement shakes along with one low-calorie meal showed significant results when tested on two participants during this challenge. Both subjects in the test case lost weight, but experts agree that it is best to consult your doctor before taking on any weight loss routine.

Isagenix Reviews

Some bloggers comment that Isagenix is a "multi-level" pyramid company that is organized to sell other sponsorships - not promote a product. While other participants claim that after the nine day cleansing challenge, they lost twenty pounds and feel great.

What is Colon Cleansing?

In recent years, colon cleansing has gained popularity by those seeking to achieve a quick fix to their weight loss problem. The colon is part of the digestive tract responsible for temporarily holding waste before it exits the body. An unhealthy colon can impede the body's ability to properly dispose of waste.

When properly administered, colon cleansing can be very safe. The signs of good colon function are regular, bowel movements 3 times a day. The pros of colon cleansing include "feeling great" after getting the procedure done. The cons of colon cleansing include the fact that many doctors still consider it to be experimental.

Check with Your Doctor

As with any medical decision, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor about colon cleansing, the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages of colon cleansing before making any decision.

Low Carb Diets and Strength Training

A low carbohydrate diet combined with a consistent strength training (muscle toning) workout regimen is a powerful combination that creates lean, tone muscle.

Low carbohydrate foods are foods like most cheeses, meats, fish and poultry and they are not always low fat and low calorie. Their fat and calorie content is dependent on how they are prepared. They are, however, always very high in protein. Low carbohydrate dieters should limit their intake of fat rich foods and should supplement their diet with large amounts of low carb vegetables and fruits, which are low fat and low calorie.

Processed Foods Should be Limited

Processed foods are full of chemicals and extras that a body does not need. Simple carbs contain sucrose, or table sugar, which is something that you want to avoid while on a low carbohydrate diet. In order to reach the goal of eliminating simple carbs from a diet, you will need to eliminate your intake of processed foods. Processed foods are packed with simple carbs and extra chemicals.

Weight Training - Circuit Training Adds More Fun

Most gyms have stations that are positioned around the facility. A complete a workout schedule includes planned trips to the gym three times a week, with alternate areas of the body trained. A well thought out training routine should include one day of training for each of the following body parts: legs, arms & shoulders, and back. By participating in such a routine whereas each station consists of 9-20 repetitions with low weight, with 45 or so seconds between each routine, one could improve cardio respiratory endurance while at the same time burning fat and building lean muscle.

In conjunction with a low carbohydrate - low fat diet, this weight training routine will jump start a workout program and help one to more quickly achieve an ideal body weight. This is not intended to be a quick weight loss program, but instead is a way of life that should be consistently followed. Within a period of two to three months, significant results will be achieved.

The Muscle Builder - Protein

It's no secret that in order to build muscle, you need to eat protein. Therefore, the low carb diet and muscle toning go hand-in-hand. This extremely powerful fat-loss plan helps to increase the fat burning process and builds lean, strong muscles. Whether you want to lose fat, build muscle or both - the combination of a low carbohydrate diet in conjunction with a strength training workout three times a week will help you achieve the goal of gaining a lean, tone shape.

Low Carb for Dummys - A Review

For those of you that have never researched a low carb diet before, this video can help. There are many low carb recipes on the Internet that will help you to keep your low carb diet routine tasty and easier to maintain. Take a moment to review this video and decide for yourself if a low carb diet is something that will work in your life.

Easy, Low-Carbohydrate Chicken Salad

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This is one of my favorite chicken salad recipes. It has fresh ingredients, it is easy to make, low in fat and carbohydrates. I usually prepare this salad on Sundays and chill it in the refrigerator for lunch later in the week. It helps during those moments when I am tired and starving. If I don't have something healthy that is already prepared, I would most likely choose a snack that is high in fat and chemicals, like a cookie out of a box. This salad is a healthy alternative to fast food or chemical-filled snacks. During a busy week, this dish will help you to eat healthy and maintain your weight.

Ingredients:

• 4 Organic chicken breasts
• 4 Stalks of Celery
• 5 Sweet Pickles
• 5 Dill Pickles
• 4 or 5 tablespoons of Mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of Mustard
• 1 white onion
• 2 garlic cloves

Preparation:

Boil a large pot of water, cut onion into quarters and press the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to the water. When water boils, add the four chicken breasts. Boil for 30 minutes. Take the chicken breasts out and allow to cool in a glass bowl.

Meanwhile, finely chop the celery and pickles. Slice the cooled chicken breasts into thin strips, then chop into fine pieces. Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix the chicken, celery and pickles in large mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise and mustard. Mix well. Chill in refrigerator for one hour. Serve on whole grain bread or as a salad on a bed of fresh greens.

Is your Kitchen the Reason You Can Not Lose Weight?

Roll up your sleeves and take a long, hard look at your kitchen pantry.

Get started on your weight loss solution today by cleaning out your kitchen pantry. Don't be afraid to throw out unhealthy foods. Make a list of healthy foods you like that you would like to purchase the next time you visit your local grocery store.

Throw out the family size bags! Buy foods in single serving packages instead of large containers. This will help you to determine how many calories you are eating and reduce the impulse to over eat. If high-fat foods are easily available to you, then you will be more inclined to eat them. Portion control is a major step in dieting. Throw out foods that have little or no nutrients.

Take your list to you local health food store. Be sure to go in the right frame of mind. Don't shop hungry and instead shop with a goal in mind of purchasing healthy, low-fat foods. There are many high-fiber alternatives to unhealthy snacking foods that can help you get through the craving times of the day and avoid binge eating. Fresh fruits and vegetables are less expensive than packaged foods. You don't have to spend a fortune. Stock up on foods that are healthy and satisfying such as whole grains that are high in fiber. Organic chicken breasts, high-fiber breads, fruits, vegetables, and (healthy) sugar-free drinks are a good starting point for your shopping trip. Remember, packaged foods are full of extras that your body does not need.

Spend a little time cooking in your kitchen every couple of days. Prepare recipes that you can chill in the refrigerator. If you have a healthy chicken salad already prepared and ready to eat, the next time you come home hungry you will be more inclined to eat the chicken salad, rather than a handful of high-fat cookies.

You can do this!

Getting Kids to Eat Healthy

Getting kids to eat a healthy diet is no easy chore. One strategy that mothers use to get promote interest in healthy food is to get the kids involved in the food preparation process. Find a healthy recipe and invite the kids into the kitchen. Ask them to help make the recipe. Most kids like working in the kitchen and will think of it as a fun activity. Turn it into a fun family project!

Take a moment to review this video from Diet.com. It will demonstrate a few recipes and show you just how fun it can be to get the kids involved in the healthy diet process.

Recent Studies Identify Wonder Foods That Speed Weight Loss

When you?re looking for a method to help you achieve fast, effective weight loss, food probably isn?t at the top of your list of potential candidates. Because overeating is the most likely source of excess weight, most dieters don?t believe that food can help them regain a svelte figure.

However, according to the results of several recent studies, it appears that certain kinds of foods can, in actuality, increase the effectiveness of weight loss efforts. Even several foods once considered taboo among dieters can facilitate successful slimming when eaten in moderation. This week, we?ll review research into several foods that may be able to help you in your quest to shed a few extra pounds.

Dairy Products May Be a Dieter?s Best Friend

Perhaps you?ve seen the TV commercials touting the role of dairy products such as milk and yogurt as part of a weight-loss effort. Although it may sound too good to be true, several recent studies have confirmed that it may in fact be possible to have your yogurt and eat it, too -- as long as it?s low-fat.

In truth, it?s not the dairy products themselves, but the high levels of calcium they contain that can help speed weight loss efforts. According to researchers, higher daily calcium intake is linked to lower weight gain, better success at maintaining a steady weight, and decreased risk of developing insulin resistance, all of which can be important in weight loss efforts.

These results were particularly significant for postmenopausal women, for whom healthy weight maintenance can often be a frustrating challenge. However, researchers caution that those seeking to lose weight should eat a balanced, calorie-controlled diet with moderate, but consistent consumption of low-fat dairy products.

Chocoholics Rejoice Over News of Dark Chocolate?s Health Benefits

Although chocolate was once widely regarded as a dangerous enemy for many dieters, recent research has identified a number of health benefits that are associated with moderate consumption of the darker varieties of the sweet treat.

The health benefits that have repeatedly been linked to daily dark chocolate nibbling include lowered blood pressure, blood clot prevention, and circulatory flexibility and efficiency. From a weight-loss perspective, dark chocolate?s documented ability to increase insulin sensitivity is its most important property. Reduced insulin sensitivity is often identified as a culprit in obesity, and it is also a risk factor for the development of Type II diabetes.

However, make sure you don?t try to have too much of a good thing. In order to maximize the health and weight-loss benefits of dark chocolate, it is important to strictly limit your daily consumption. Experts say a sliver weighing as little as six grams is enough to get the most of dark chocolate?s health-boosting properties. Still, because of dark chocolate?s characteristic richness and flavor intensity, even this amount can be enough to satisfy a craving for sweets.

When it Comes to Dieting, Beans May Be Magical After All

You?re probably already aware that beans are among nature?s healthiest food sources. Packed with proteins, fiber, and vitamins, low in calories, and naturally fat-free, beans are already a great way to get on the path to a healthy weight.

But recent research has shown that certain types of beans may be particularly helpful for those seeking to shed a few extra pounds. An extract of a chemical compound found naturally in white kidney beans has been linked with benefits ranging from reduced starch absorption to increased digestive efficiency.

The special component is similar to a pancreatic compound known as alpha amylase. This substance regulates the absorption of starch and carbohydrates by the body. Studies have shown that individuals who take supplements with the bean-based version of alpha amylase absorb less of the harmful starches that are most easily converted to sugar in the bloodstream, often resulting in weight gain.

Because the supplement form of the enzyme is a super-concentrated version of the ingredient found naturally in white kidney beans, it is recommended for serious dieters. However, if you have just a few pounds to lose or if you have already reached the maintenance phase of your weight loss journey, it may be enough to add more beans into your regular diet.

Before making significant changes to your diet, check with a licensed physician. And check back each week for more of the research news that can put you on the path to weight loss success!